"A satisfying conclusion to this wonderful trilogy"

In 1668 Sussex, England, her older sibling Jason and her twin brother Ford inform twenty-three year old Kendra Chase that she must marry. However, Kendra rejects all the suitors paraded by her siblings, so the exasperated Jason tells her that she will wed by the summer. Kendra takes a ride into the country to ponder the 'suits' chasing after her, but all seem lacking. Losing track of time and distance, Kendra runs into the Black Highwayman Patrick 'Trick' Caldwell as rain begins to fall. Her brothers find the unchaperoned pair in a cottage and insist Trick do the honorable thing by marrying Kendra.

Though shocked that her siblings demand the highwayman become her spouse, Kendra knows he stirs her heart. She soon realizes that Trick is a complex person with dark secrets. As love blossoms between them, she confronts her spouse by asking him why he sends her such mixed signals.

AMBER, the final novel in Lauren Royal's 'Chase sibling' trilogy (see AMETHYST and EMERALD) is a tremendous Restoration romance. The story line runs quite deep due to the lead couple. Trick is a captivating protagonist with major problems, but it is the likable and honest Kendra who makes the story line flow. Her simply asking Trick what bothers him rather than the usual leap to a false conclusion is incredibly refreshing and yet never slows down the pace of the plot. The return of the stars from the previous tales add depth and warmth to a strong conclusion to a powerful tale that is clearly part of a royal flush straight.

Harriet Klausner

Reviewed by Harriet Klausner
Posted July 12, 2001